Born on the south side, but raised in the East Bluff of Peoria, IL. Spanky attended Glen Oak Primary and White Middle Schools. There he participated in various community service organizations, drama club, and chorus. Graduating from White he attended Peoria "Central" High School, joining the first class of the Preparatory School of the Arts. At Central Spanky participated as a football player, boy
s and girls varsity basketball manager, track runner, drama club member, chess caption, key club, student council, and many other more clubs. Some highlights of his high school career was first being recognized as the manager of the IHSA Class AA 2004 State Championship Basketball team, staring Shaun Livingston and Brandon Lee, for being a sharp dresser, forever wearing a suit to every basketball game. Next Spanky joined the cast of the Broadway play, "The Wiz" two weeks before the production. Starring as the Wiz in an all star production featuring gospel heavy hitter, Stavia Hunes as Dorthy. Then was elected the 2006 Homecoming King by his classmates his senior year. When Peoria was looking for young leaders to be the voice and represent city problems, Spanky was elected Vice President and then President of the Mayors Peoria Youth Advisory Committee. Do to several issues pertaining to livelihoods of young Black people in Peoria, IL and the state of Illinois Spanky was elected State President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP). In 2007 they organized an anti-violent "March for Moral Rights Movement," that helped stop violence in the streets of Peoria. Matriculating to Illinois Central college, (ICC) Spanky Edwards was elected Student Trustee on the ICC Board of Trustees, bring in an ICC record of votes in a student trustee election, but only served a half term due to other previous obligations. At ICC he served as Multicultural Student Association President, Vice President and President of the ICC Democrats, Harvesting Dreams, New World Trio Program and the African American Male Discussions. In 2007 Spanky served as the first unrelated volunteer for the Friends of Jehan Gordon Campaign for State Representative of the 92nd District. Graduating in 2010 Spanky was accepted to Morehouse College. His plans are to major in religion and politics. The Spanky Fernando is the epitome of a classic Renaissance Man with a social conscience of Morehouse College. He is a modern "jack of all trades," proficient in grassroots organizing, social justice activism, social engineering, umpire/referee, entrepreneurship, theologian, bachata/salsa and Chicago Steppin' dance instructor. Spanky is the 2017 Nashville Top Performers Grand Prize Winner and Music City Dance Alliance Bachata Champion! He is the founder of Blackchata Thursdays and performed in the Memphis Salsa Convention 2017.
